Support for the ASPIRE2025 programme application
Our application has strong support from sector representatives including academic collaborators, NGOs and community groups, and indigenous health leaders. All recognise the profound benefits the programme could realise and strongly support the design and proposed outcomes. Among other points, the letters of support note:
Outstanding Science
Both Professors Fong and Borland highlight the internationally renowned standing the ITC programme has achieved and the profound contributions it has made to tobacco control strategy. New Zealand has a truly unique opportunity to re-join this collaboration and accelerate progress to 2025.
Novelty
The programme will generate knowledge not available from any other tobacco control study or survey. As Professor Fong noted, it is “an exciting and multi-faceted research programme.. [and] unparalleled in the breadth and depth of the research that will be conducted.”
Rigour
Supporters note how our programme offers: “enormous possibilities for evaluating and understanding the impact of tobacco control efforts at unprecedented levels of rigour” (Fong)
Impact
National and Australian supporters all note the need for innovative new policies and the strong potential for the proposed programme to identify where policy innovation is most needed, and evaluate potential measures.
Value
As Professor Fong has noted, investment in our programme will not only address the objectives we have outlined and enhance New Zealanders’ health and well-being, but will open access to international funding and provide opportunities for New Zealand to once again offer research leadership.
Inequality
Hapai Te Ara Hā Ora strongly supports our proposed programme and the contribution it will make to reducing the many inequalities attributable to smoking.
Please visit the following links to view the full letters of support (.pdf format):
- Maine Andrew, Chairperson, Pacific Health and Welfare Executive
- Professor Ron Borland, Cancer Council Victoria / ITC Project Australia
- Tony Duncan, CEO, New Zealand Heart Foundation
- Professor Geoffrey Fong, University of Waterloo / ITC Project International
- Skye Kimura-Paul, National Tobacco Control Advisor, Cancer Society (New Zealand)
- Lance Norman and Dr Nicole Coupe, Hapai Te Hauora Tapui / Action on Smoking and Health
- Paula Snowden, CE, Quitline New Zealand
- Associate Professor David Thomas, Menzies School of Health Research
- Dr Colin Tukuitonga, Director, Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community
- Dr Darren Walton, Manager – Research and Evaluation, Health Promotion Agency